Gilroy leads Rangers to rout over Islanders

Defenseman Matt Gilroy broke a long scoring drought with his first two-goal game in the NHL, and the host New York Rangers recorded a season-high 52 shots to cool off the surging New York Islanders with a 7-2 victory last night.

As the area dug out of a major blizzard that struck New York on Sunday, the Rangers handed the Islanders their first loss in four games and snapped their rivals' five-game point streak (4-0-1).

Gilroy, in his second NHL season, gave the Rangers a 1-0 lead just 44 seconds in, and then broke a 2-2 tie in the second against Islanders goalie Dwayne Roloson.

Gilroy, taking the place of scratched defenseman Michael Del Zotto, had gone 64 games without a goal - dating to Nov. 28, 2009. He has six goals in 91 career NHL games.

"It was nice to be a part of it and help the team to win," said Gilroy, a Long Island native who has played in only 22 of 37 games. "I got some lucky bounces, but I will take it."

Marian Gaborik, Brian Boyle, Brandon Dubinsky, Ruslan Fedotenko and Derek Stepan also scored for the Rangers to back goalie Henrik Lundqvist. Boyle added two assists.

Rob Schremp and former Rangers forward P.A. Parenteau scored for the Islanders.

In other games:

* At Sunrise, Fla., Blake Wheeler scored the only goal in the shootout to lead the Boston Bruins to a 3-2 victory over the Florida Panthers. David Krejci had both regulation goals for Boston.

* At Columbus, Ohio, Rick Nash scored in the shootout and had two assists to become Columbus' franchise leader and lift the Blue Jackets past the Minnesota Wild, 4-3. Nash now has 206 assists. He is also the club leader in goals (244) and points (450).

* At Calgary, Jarome Iginla and Olli Jokinen scored second-period goals to lead the Flames to a 5-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres.

* At Denver, Niklas Kronwall scored the game-winner with 1:18 remaining in overtime and Chris Osgood stopped a season-high 46 shots in the Detroit Red Wings' 4-3 victory over the Colorado Avalanche to become the 10th goalie in NHL history to reach 400 wins. Osgood, a 17-year veteran, has 316 of his wins with the Red Wings.

* At San Jose, Jonathan Quick had 24 saves and Dustin Brown scored two of four third-period goals as the Los Angeles Kings defeated the Sharks, 4-0.

* Ottawa center Jason Spezza is out indefinitely with a right shoulder injury he suffered in Sunday's win over Pittsburgh. Spezza said it didn't look as if surgery would be required, but there was no timetable for his return. He left the game after being checked into the boards from behind by Kris Letang. Spezza called the hit "a little bit dirty." Letang got a 2-minute boarding penalty on the play. There was no immediate word from the NHL on potential discipline.

* The NHL announced that Nashville forward Jordin Tootoo has voluntarily entered into inpatient care through the NHL-NHLPA substance abuse and behavioral health program. He will be paid his full salary, and the league said in a statement he will face no penalty as long as he complies with his treatment and the follow-up care program.

* Detroit will be without forward Danny Cleary for at least a month after he broke his left ankle on a shot attempt by a teammate in Sunday's win over Minnesota.

* Rain showers and temperatures in the low 50s are being forecast for the Capitals-Penguins Winter Classic outdoor game Saturday at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh. While temperatures above freezing aren't ideal, NHL ice chief Dan Craig said they wouldn't necessarily affect the game because of the 2 1/2-inch thick ice. However, rain is the major worry because it would unsafe for the players even if it is falling only lightly.

The game, scheduled for 1 p.m., could be played at a later time if conditions were more favorable. It could also be played Sunday, but the NHL would prefer not to compete against NFL games for viewers.